RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Experts called for reducing the burden of diseases particularly non-communicable diseases by raising awareness among people so that goal of good health and well-being for all is achieved.

They were speaking at the launching of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-3, Good Health & Well-being for All, jointly organized by P&D and WHO in Lahore.

The aim of the launch was to reiterate the government’s commitment towards achieving the health goals included in the SDGs and to provide a platform for the government and development partners. Pakistan being a member of the United Nations signed the SDGs in 2015 and made a commitment to the 17 goals and 169 targets.

Punjab’s Minister Population Welfare Zakia Shahnazwaz, Minister Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir, Chairman Planning and Development Punjab, Jehanzaib Khan, Secretary Specialized and Medical Education Department, Najam Ahmed Shah, DG Health Services Punjab, Mukhtar Shah, Chief of Field Office Unicef, Douglas G Higgins, CEO Public Health England, Duncan Selbe, VC FJMU, Dr. Fakkar Imam, DG Rescue 1122, Dr. Rizwan Naseer and CEO Contech International Dr. Naeemuddin Mian attended the ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, Zakia Shahnawaz emphasized the need for working together by different departments and organizations to achieve SDGs. She highlighted achievements of population welfare department saying that 117 health clinics were attached to different THQs and DHQs besides mobile units that were providing family planning services. She also spoke about the need for continued support from different partners, not just in the form of funding but other technical assistance such as monitoring and community mobilization.

Chairman P&D Board Muhammad Jehanzaib Khan, in his address said that the consensus had to be built around the SDGs because basic health, well-being, security for the society and community were multi-party agenda. Najam Ahmed Shah spoke about the importance of the SDG 3 as a core requirement. He also spoke about the importance of realizing the reasons behind the failure of MDG 4 and MDG 5 in order to ensure the achievement of SDGs. Shah highlighted a few initiatives such as a 38% increase in ADP budget, specifically for education, health and ‘Saaf Paani,’ as indicative of the government’s dedication.

Douglas Higgins, Chief of Field Office, Unicef supported the initiatives taken and the importance of effective management to continue improvements and build a healthier Punjab. He specifically spoke about polio eradication in Pakistan and the significance of Punjab’s reaching the polio-free status in Punjab. Higgins highlighted that unlike the MDGs, the government was driving the SDGs which was necessary to ensure that the sustainable development goals were integrated into programmes and interventions.

Rizwan Naseer, DG 1122 spoke about the need to reduce the burden of diseases particularly from non-communicable diseases. He noted that there were almost 1.8 million emergencies annually which required an emphasis on road safety, fire and building safety protocols and the strengthening of emergency services throughout the province.

Dr. Naeemuddin Mian stated that 70% of health services were being rendered in the private sector, estimate from private sector, but the regulation of quality through standards had begun recently with the Punjab Healthcare Commission.